Foreign policy - selected topics

This is an overview of selected priorities in Norway's foreign policy. Please visit www.government.no - Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information.

 

Development cooperation

In 2000 the UN member countries adopted eight goals for combating world poverty. The Millennium Development Goals range from reducing by half the proportion of people who suffer from hunger to providing primary education for all boys and girls by 2015.
Norway’s development cooperation efforts are based on the the UN Millennium Development Goals, and Norway is contributing to development in poor countries in many areas and through many different channels. In 2007 the Government has earmarked close to NOK 21 billion for emergency relief and development cooperation. Areas that are given particular priority in this year’s development cooperation budget are environment and sustainable development, women and gender equality, good governance, anti-corruption efforts, oil and energy, peacebuilding, human rights and humanitarian assistance.

 
 

The High North

The High North will be Norway’s most important strategic priority area in the years ahead. The Government will intensify efforts to exercise Norwegian sovereignty and ensure sustainable management of the rich fisheries and energy resources in the region. Norway’s High North policy is intended to protect the environment, maintain settlement patterns and promote business development. The Government will further develop cooperation with Russia and our other partners in the north.
The seas north of the Norwegian mainland contain considerable fossil fuel and renewable fisheries resources. They have enormous economic potential which, if managed properly, will have great significance, both for the region and for the rest of the world. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is heading the effort to formulate, coordinate and implement the Government’s High North policy.

 
 

Human rights

Human rights are fundamental rights that belong to all people by virtue of their humanity. Since the Second World War, human rights have been codified in international agreements at both global and regional level.
Even though all human rights are equal and indivisible, it is usual to distinguish between civil and political rights, and economic, social and cultural rights. A knowledge and understanding of human rights are necessary in order to ensure that these rights are respected. The Foreign Ministry’s website has therefore been designed to facilitate access to key information on human rights.

 
 

Humanitarian efforts

 A very important part of Norwegian foreign and international development policy is concerned with saving lives, alleviating want and protecting those who are in danger. Norwegian efforts are targeted at countries where there are great, unmet humanitarian needs, where Norway is particularly well placed to make a contribution, or where the measures concerned support peace and reconciliation processes.
Children, women, minorities and indigenous peoples are priority groups. There is a particular focus on anti-landmine efforts and efforts to ban cluster munitions that have unacceptable humanitarian consequences. The Government emphasises that humanitarian assistance should be a supplement to, rather than a substitute for, political action.
The UN has a key role in the Government’s humanitarian policy. Supporting the Red Cross and NGOs is also an important part of Norway’s humanitarian efforts.

 
 

Peace and reconciliation efforts

Since the early 1990s, Norway has been playing an important role as facilitator in a number of peace and reconciliation processes. Norway’s experience has shown that small countries can also play a constructive role in resolving complex armed conflicts, even without the direct involvement of the UN or the major powers. Norwegian peace efforts are, however, contingent on all the involved parties showing a genuine will to negotiate and on their acceptance of Norway as a facilitator. Norway can offer long-term political and economic involvement, including after a peace agreement has been reached. 
 

 Security Policy

 A state’s most important task is to guarantee its inhabitants’ security. The aim of security policy must therefore be to safeguard a country’s sovereignty and political autonomy. This has traditionally been associated with military capability and military strategies for defending a country’s territory.
Our security is best safeguarded through close international cooperation and good relations with all of our neighbouring countries. The Government has made it clear that membership of NATO will continue to be one of the central elements of Norway’s foreign policy, and that it will actively use international organisations to promote peacekeeping, disarmament, arms control and conflict prevention.

 

Trade policy

Norway has a very open economy, and our prosperity and high level of employment are dependent on trade with other countries. Today we export goods and services, such as fish and fish products, oil, metals and maritime services, to all corners of the world. At the same time Norwegians purchase goods and services from other countries on a daily basis. 
Norway’s trade is regulated by a number of agreements and rules, e.g. the EEA Agreement and the WTO agreements. These agreements set out the conditions for selling goods and services, e.g. what tariffs and duties are to be included in the price paid by the consumer. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has overall responsibility for Norway’s trade policy.

 
 

United Nations

"Working together for a better world". This is the ideology behind the UN. The organisation was founded after two devastating World Wars, and its primary aim is to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.
Another main principle underlying the UN is the protection of all human rights. Norway is seeking to promote a global world community made up of active states that respect international law and fundamental human rights. Norway’s aim is to have a clear profile as a nation of peace, and it will work to prevent, reduce and resolve conflicts. Norway will also be an international driving force in the efforts to reduce economic disparities between North and South.